Drive Issues

FastTrak100 User Manual

Q:Can I add a drive to a FastTrak100 RAID array via hot-swap and dynamically adjust the array size/configuration?

A:No. The FastTrak100 system does not support dynamically adjustable RAID size/configurations.

Q: Do the HDDs on the FastTrak100 have to be the same size?

A:The HDDs that you use with the FastTrak100 do not have to be the same size. If the sizes differ, the FastTrak100 will “adjust” the HDDs so that they are compatible. Basically, it will truncate the bigger HDD so the sizes match. Any unused space that results from this is unusable, so don’t use HDDs that differ too much. It’ll work, but it’s a waste.

Q:Can I take a set of drives which make up an array created on one FastTrak100 server and move it to another FastTrak100 server?

A:Yes. All FastTrak100 controllers read the arrays the same way. Once the drives are all connected, you must restart the system for it to recognize the newly-inserted array configuration. Also, you can move an FastTrak33 or FastTrak66 array to the FastTrak100 Controller.

Q:Can I take a drive used in a FastTrak100 array and access it directly with a different controller, such as the one integrated on the motherboard?

A:Yes, but only under certain configurations. The following array configurations will allow the drive(s) to be accessed individually on another controller: mirror (RAID 1), single drive striped (RAID 0), or single drive spanned (JBOD). Multiple drives striped or spanned will not work. Also, the controller must address the drives as LBA, not CHS.

Q:If I have a problem with one of the drives on the FastTrak100, how can I low level format it to correct the problem?

A:Do NOT do this. Low-level formatting IDE drives is unnecessary and generally does not correct problems which might be experienced during use. Errors such as bad sectors or ECC/CRC failure are best remedied by completely replacing the drive. For this reason, drives attached to the FastTrak100 controller should NOT be low level formatted.

Q:Do I have to install disk management software on my array in order to access the full storage capacity of drives?

A:No! Disk management software would only complicate things. The array should be fully addressable by your O/S as it is. Remember that some operating systems have varying limits on the sizes of partitions and logical drives that can be defined. Consult your O/S documentation about partitioning larger drives.